Proper conversion of alcohol sugar is the key to good alcohol

All alcoholic drinks are produced after fermentation where starch and sugar is converted into ethanol or alcohol, and proper conversion of alcohol sugar is the key to good alcohol. There are several processes that ultimately lead to the desired alcohol with just that right taste, strength, and character.

Alcohol production includes brewing and even distilling the ingredients based on the alcohol that needs to be manufactured. However, the key is to convert starch stored in several key ingredients to sugar before alcohol fermentation caused by active yeast converts those sugars into alcohol with varying strength or proof levels. The entire production process starts when all the ingredients arrive at the alcohol or ethanol production plant.

Various alcohols and spirits such as beer, wine, vodka, rum, whiskey, etc require different starch-producing sources such as wheat, barley, rice, corn, agave, cassava, potatoes, grapes, apples, berries, or other sources that are rich in starch. In the manufacturing of beer, these ingredients are firstly steeped in water and then dried or roasted to start the process of converting the starch present in the ingredients into sugar. The roasted ingredients are now milled so as to enable the starch and sugar to blend better during the mashing process where hot water is again added to the ingredients.

This mash can also be heated to a specific temperature based on the requirements of the manufacturer. This process now readies all starches in the liquid to be converted into alcohol sugars once the next process of yeast fermentation takes place. This mash is now known as the wort and the next process is extremely crucial to achieve an end-product with the perfect color, taste, and strength. In case of beer, brewer’s yeast or yeast saccharomyces is now added to the wort to start the alcohol or ethanol fermentation process.

However, as brewer’s yeast cannot survive in stronger alcohols, wine yeast is added while making wine, and vodka yeast or specific types of distillers yeast is added to produce strong alcohol with high proof levels such as vodka and whiskey. This active yeast now turns the alcohol sugar into alcohol with the right strength depending on how the manufacturer controls the temperature, quantity of yeast added to the wort, and the temperature maintained during the mashing process. It is during fermentation that the sugar in the wort is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide. During yeast fermentation the temperature needs to be maintained between 15 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

It is during fermentation that one molecule of glucose is transformed into two molecules of carbon dioxide and two molecules of ethanol. Some alcohols are also subjected to another round of fermentation to improve the taste and character of the resultant heady liquid. Once this vital process is completed then additional ingredients including flavors are added while the fermented liquid is also filtered before it is ready for packing and consumption.

It is extremely important to convert starch into sugar before it is again converted into alcohol. This process requires precision in brewing so that the end product, be it beer, whiskey, vodka, or any other alcoholic drink is produced with ideal proof levels and character that is so essential in pleasing your senses. Proper conversion of alcohol sugar is indeed the key to good alcohol.